In a significant political move, the Congress party on Tuesday, June 10, announced that it will undertake another caste census in Karnataka to address concerns from several communities who claimed they were left out or inaccurately represented in the previous survey conducted over a decade ago.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of Congress leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President DK Shivakumar.
TNM had reported in April in Powertrip, our weekly newsletter, that a recount of populations was a possibility given that two of the state’s most powerful communities - Vokkaligas and Lingayats - were claiming that their communities had been undercounted.
A recount could mean either a full re-survey or supplement the existing data using records maintained at the gram panchayat and ward levels, TNM had reported. It is still unclear whether the survey that the Congress High Command has okayed means a completely new survey or a partial survey.
Briefing the media after the meeting, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal said the party has accepted the state’s earlier caste census "in principle" but acknowledged growing discontent over its accuracy and inclusiveness.
“The caste census was discussed. The Congress party is thinking that whatever the Karnataka government has done in the caste census should be agreed to in principle. But there are some apprehensions from some sections and communities about the counting of the caste,” Venugopal said.
To address these issues, the party has recommended a re-enumeration of caste data in Karnataka, modeled after the recent Telangana caste survey. Venugopal stated that the Congress has asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to initiate the process within a stipulated time frame of 60 to 80 days.
“It has been decided to clear the air over the earlier caste census with respect to its data accuracy and concerns of under-representation of certain communities. Data will be collected once again through door-to-door and online surveys. The entire process would be done in a very transparent manner,” Shivakumar told the media after the meeting.
Shivakumar also said that the decision was taken to “resolve the discord that has arisen regarding the caste census and the confusion surrounding community statistics”. “Everyone will be given another opportunity to submit their information through house-to-house surveys and online. This process will be conducted transparently,” Shivakumar said.
The directive comes just ahead of a special cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday, during which Siddaramaiah was due to hear objections from the ministers.
Opposition slams Congress
Criticising the announcement, the Karnataka BJP unit has slammed the decision, saying that the state government is raising the caste census now to cover up its flaws in connection with the recent stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium last week which claimed 11 lives.
State BJP President BY Vijayendra said, “Whenever the Congress-led state government faces a crisis due to its administrative failures, it brings up the caste census issue. This isn't out of social concern, but rather a constant ploy to divert the attention of the people of the state."
Vijayendra also slammed the Congress government for the expenditure on the previous survey. "By planning to re-conduct the caste census, is the state government admitting that the Rs 160 crore already spent on the previous caste census was a complete waste?" he said.
State BJP General Secretary and MLA, V Sunil Kumar, said, "The BJP had repeatedly insisted that there were flaws in the caste census report's data and that it should be re-examined. However, CM Siddaramaiah continued his usual dismissive attitude even on such a sensitive issue."
(With inputs from IANS)
